Shuffle Saturday: Shopping with Toddlers!

Shopping with toddler is not easy and so you pick your trips, planning your outings very carefully. This morning we even had both mommy and daddy to go shopping for shoes. For what seemed like a simple trip ended up exhausting all of us - just to find some shoes for this fall.

Toddlers have their own opinions. They seem to be very good at expressing their own independent ideas at just the right time. In this mornings case, it was what shoes he wanted to try on or did not want to try on. He also was good at telling us what other items he wanted to look at in the store...and touch....and hold. Then he though it would be fun to rearrange the mats on the store floor.

Toddlers also have a lot of energy that find its way out in strange ways. Again this morning it was taking his socks and shoes that he came with on and off. He then thought it would be fun to run away from mommy and daddy (against multiple warnings), hiding through the aisles. Daddy ended up chasing him (to his delight and our horror) clear across the store.

Finally we found a pair of shoes that we all agreed on and we headed to the check out. Even then we were tired, ready for a melt down anytime. But we made it home, putting aside all other errands we had to do this morning.

Do you have any shopping stories you would like to share or types on reigning in your toddler?

Quick Mommy Time Out! Save Money at Carter's! Only this weekend!

*BE SURE TO READ THE UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST**

I just came across a great deal that I had to share.

Over at Carter's, all weekend long, EVERYTHING is 50% off!!

I love Carter's gear for my boys. It's cute AND it holds up!! So what are you doing reading this? CLICK HERE and save money!!

**UPDATE! A friend of mine just wrote on my Facebook wall, "Sarah! I don't know if you know this or not. But if you also use the code FIRSTDAYFUN during checkout and spend at least $40, you will receive 20% off your entire order ON TOP of the 50% clearance!"

I haven't tried it, but if it works, let me know!!

Food Friday: Sneaking In Veggies

My oldest son, Liam (5), hates vegetables. He once tried to convince his Pediatrician that he was allergic to vegetables.
Doctor laughed and said, "You like fruit, right?"
Liam agreed.
Doctor said, "Well, fruits and vegetables are cousins."
Liam's ears perked up..."I have cousins and I like them!"
Doctor said, "So you should like vegetables!"

That worked for about a week. And then I came across a coupon for Barilla pasta. It wasn't just "regular" pasta but it had a whole serving of vegetables in each serving. Not sure how they do it, but they include carrots and squash IN the pasta.

And it was test time. I made one of our favorite meals (Parmesan/Italian dressing chicken) with buttered noodles. And Liam LOVED them. He begged for more noodles. And the next day, he ate them as a leftover for lunch.

Test complete. Win. So if you've got a picky vegetable eater, try these...just don't let them see the box.

Toy Thursday: Car Racing!

What boy does not like to play with race cars? From the moment they come out of the womb, I swear boys know how to make motor car sounds. And by the time they are two they are racing, crashing, and zooming all over the place.

Match box cars are a must need favorite toy for every child. I still remember my cousins playing with their own pile of 4 wheel vehicles in the huge sand pile outside. The boys would make roads adding in sand cities all over the yard. Even though the sand pile is long gone, my grandma has these match box cars still today for any kids who come to play at her house.

Today's generation of boys have not really changed even though the toys may have. Boys today ultimate favorite past time is to play with cars, racing, crashing, and zooming just as their fathers once did.

I have to only think of my husband's first cousin who still races with his two young boys. In fact, it was he that found this really cool race track called, Blu Track. Seen in action once, this is definitely something to check out as the track itself is something from a kids dream world (and daddies).

This two laned track fits standard size match box cars, allowing them to race. Expandable, durable, and kid safe, the track takes minimal set-up time for maximum creative racing. Kids of all ages enjoy designing loops for all sorts of racing fun.

To add to the fun, my husband's cousin is setting up a race track for his son's birthday party. All those invited are supposed to bring their own car to race. Whichever car finishes each round is the winner. Now that sounds like zoomin fun!

Happy racing!

Quick Mommy Time Out!

Through tomorrow (Sept 2) save money to see the famous engine icon in Iowa, Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas will be visiting the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad on Sept 17 - 18 or Sept 23-25, in Boone, Iowa. Save $2 on each original $18 ticket by using the promo code ISFTHOMAS.

When I purchased my tickets this morning, following the purchase I received an additional offer from Great Fun for a $20 rebate which I will receive by email.

Have fun saving money and seeing Thomas with your family!